Heifer 4 months bred producing small amount of milk

[CarolynFletcher]

My daughter has a Angus Cross Heifer that she shows in the county fair. She was bred on May 28, 2007. She is producing a very small amount of milk, we would like to know if this is normal?

Thank you for you help ahead of time.

Carolyn
Florida

 

[milkmaid]

Why do you say she's producing milk?

 

[CarolynFletcher]

My daughter was cleaning her udders and her heifer pulled away from her and my daughter sqeezed a nipple and a small amount of milk came out.

 

[sizmic]

I had a coupel do that this year, I would not say it's normal but I have seen it personally. The calves from those heifers hit the ground the other day and they are really giving the milk. one had twins.

Sizmic

 

[sizmic]

I had a couple do that this year, I would not say it's normal but I have seen it personally. The calves from those heifers hit the ground the other day and they are really giving the milk. One had twins.

Sizmic

 

[milkmaid]

It's not unusual for them to start bagging up about halfway through gestation, and sometimes fluid can be squeezed from the teats (not a recommended practice, since it predisposes the animal to infection). It wouldn't be "milk" and I wouldn't try drinking it , but there may be fluid. It is not overly common as she's so far from calving, but it isn't abnormal either. Wouldn't get too concerned about it.

Here's a heifer that's 5 months bred... they don't usually show this much of an udder as short breds, but even this isn't abnormal.

BTW, a female bovine has a single udder that consists of four quarters with one teat on each quarter... FYI. ;-)

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

As usual, MM had the right comments - but, I will repeat - you should not open up a quarter because you break the natural "plug" keeping "bugs" out. I understand it was sort of by "accident" but leave it alone, don't recheck it!